Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 10, 1993 TAG: 9311100114
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Representatives - called "messengers" - from many of the state's 1,550 Southern Baptist churches approved a resolution "affirming" that homosexual behavior is sinful and that practicing homosexuals shouldn't be in positions of church leadership.
They also voted narrowly - 1,297 to 1,257 - to "initiate dialogue" with three other Baptist groups, approved a $15.5 million budget only after limiting the discretion of the budget committee to spend any excess revenue, and rejected a motion to force a state Baptist commission to articulate a position on abortion.
The resolution on homosexuality was presented this year - as it was last year - by the Virginia Baptist General Board, which is the executive committee of the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
The show-of-hands vote far exceeded the 75 percent necessary to approve the motion endorsing the resolution.
Members of both the conservative and moderate factions blamed widespread confusion about the resolution for its failure to pass last year. Many also said the perception that the media portrayed last year's action as a tacit endorsement of homosexual behavior forced its reconsideration this year.
The Rev. Robert Moore, pastor of Bonsack Baptist Church, said the statement "needed to be made" and "reflects mainstream Baptist opinion on the issue."
While reiterating the belief that the Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful, the resolution includes a "confession of our own sinfulness" and a call to "bring all people to a loving and redeeming savior."
"I think people misunderstand that stance," said the Rev. Charles Fuller, pastor of Roanoke's First Baptist Church.
The resolution leaves "room for compassion for a person in a biblically rejected lifestyle." Fuller said the action was not meant as "heavy-handed judgment" but as "an offer of healing that the Bible gives" to homosexuals.
Others were not so sure.
One ministerial employee of the General Board, who asked not to be identified, worried that agreement with the statement might become a litmus test for employment by the state agency.
Some other moderates disagreed with the resolution on grounds that it unfairly singled out a particular sin that the Bible condemns no more strongly than others, or that it went too far in trying to influence the actions of member churches. Individual congregations are not bound to abide by or agree with any action of the General Association.
The relative harmony of this 170th annual meeting of the state group could be destroyed today, however, when it considers a constitutional change that could limit representation from churches that give little or no money to the state group.
Some members of the denomination's conservative faction see it as an attempt to alienate them further from the state association, which is controlled by the moderate faction.
In other action Tuesday, messengers "faced reality" and approved a budget that - for the first time in four years - reflects about the amount of revenue that comes into state denominational coffers each year.
The budget is $800,000 less than this year's, only about 92 percent of which is expected to be funded.
Cost-cutting measures at this meeting were evident even as messengers registered: For the first time, they were required to pay ($3) for the Book of Reports.
Planners also saved about $5,000 by forgoing the use of sophisticated computer-generated visual displays in favor of old-fashioned handwritten messages on an overhead projector.
Messengers also got a taste of much more stringent security procedures as volunteers prevented anyone without proper credentials from entering the hall at the Richmond Centre.
Association officials said there were fears about the security of the downtown neighborhood where the meeting is being held.
The day ended on a high note for messengers from Roanoke's First Baptist Church, though, as Doyal Spence, their minister of choral music, was named the association's Church Musician of the Year.
Spence, who next month will celebrate his 28th anniversary at First Baptist, was recognized for his "exemplary example of Christian life, ministry and leadership."
by CNB